Steering-wheel hub and axle connection.



W. S. WEATHERWAX.

STEERING WHEEL HUB AND AXLE CONNECTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1912.

1,086,251. Patented Feb. 3 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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STEERING WHEEL HUB AND AXLE CONNECTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1912.

Patented Feb. 3, 1914.

2 SHBETS-$ HEET 2.

to secure the lock washer 23.

enlarged to receive the tapered portion of the axle and. has an inwardlyextending arm 16 to which the steering rod is connected. The openingformed in the inner end of the wheel supportis elongated horimnially toadmit of a pivotal movement of the wheel support for purposes ofsteering. An oil cup 18 is fitted to the arm 1.6 and connects with anopening 19 which is arranged to do liver oil to the ope Ing 5 and theoil groove at. The outer end of the wheel support is contracted, asindicated at 20. This contracted end is formed with a threaded openingand is exteriorly threaded. A ball bearing is mounted upon thecontracted end 20 and comprises a cone 21 and a cup 22 be tween which 1he balls are confined, 2]. is threadedzu pen the part 20 and isadjustable to prei enl any lost motion between the component to rts ofthe ball hearing. A lock wasl'ie-r 23 is adapted to secure the cone 21in thc'adjusted position and has a recess 2a in its inner face toreceive the projecting end of the part 20. (hieningsQS formed in thelock washer 23 receive the projecting ends oi pins 26 let into the outerend of the part Qt), thereby preventing rotary movement of the lockwasher. The inner face of the lock washer is corrugated, thecorrugations meshing with like corrugations formed in the outer face ofthe cone 21. A bolt 27 is threaded-into the part 20 and is adapted Anopening 28 is formed in the bolt 27 and admits of lubricantpassingthcrethro'ugh into the opening or space provided in the wheel support toreceive the outer end of the axle. A

- ball bearing is mounted upon the inner portion of the wheel supportand comprises a cone 29 -a11-cl=a--'cup-' or retainer 30 between whichballs are mounted.

The hub of the wheel is mounted upon the wheel support, the frictionbeing reduced to the smallest amount possible by means of the inner andthe outer ball bearings. The ball bearings are located upon oppositesides of a plane passing through the pivot bolt 8 parallel with theplane of the wheel. The hub comprises an inner member 31 and an outermember 32, each of the members having an outer'flange. The spokes areconfined between the flanges oi, the two members 31 and 32. Theinnermember 31 has a flange or band 33 which extends over the inner ballbearing and the inner enlarged part of the wheel support. The outerportion of the member 31 encircling the outer contracted end 20 of thewheel support has an inner shoulder 34: against which the outer ballbearing is confined. A hub cap 35 is threaded upon the outer end or":the member 31 of the hub and is adapted to receive rca se or hard oil.

When the parts are assembled the verti- The cone cal axis about whichthe wheel turns whensteering is approximately in the plane of the wheel,with the result of enabling a support for the wheel of minimum lengthb'e'- mg employed so that the strain upon the wheel support andconnections is reduced to the smallest amount possible. The constructionis such as to relieve the strain upon" the steering mechanism and toenable the wheel to track when the vehicle is moving in a direct line.sides in the fact that the steering wheel may be used as a driver, sincethe propelling force may be advantageously applied thereto. From theforegoing description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, the advantages of the construction and of the the method ofoperation will be readily apparent to those. skilled in the art to whichthe invention appertains, and while I have described the principle ofoperation of the invention, together with the device which I nowconsider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have itunderstood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and

that such changes may be made when 'desired as are within the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

1. In combination an axle having a vertical opening in its outer portionand a recess in its under side in line with the vertical opening. awheel support slipped upon the axle and having openings in its upper andlower port-ions in register with the vertical opening of the axle, thelower opening being enlarged and threaded, a pivot connection betweenthe wheel support and axle passing through the vertically alinedopenings thereof,

lower portion of the pivot connection and extending into the recess ofthe axle and threaded into the enlarged opening 'of the wheel support,and a lock Washer having screwthread connection with the lower pro- 150jecting end of the said pivot connection and having interlockingconnection with the wheel support.

2. In combination an axle having a rounded head at its outer end inwhich is formed a vertical opening and a recess in its under side, awheel support slipped upon the outer portion of the axle and havingopenings in its upper and lower portions. to

register with.the vertical opening in the 20 head of the axle, the loweropening being enlarged and threaded, a pivot connection between thewheel support and axle, a ball bearing between the lower portions of theI h ad of the axle and the wheel support and having a member enteringthe recess of said head and a member threaded into the enlarged openingof the said wheel support, a-lock A further advantage re 75 a ballbearing slipped upon .the 5 washer threaded upon the lower projectingend of the pivot connection and arranged within the said enlargedopening of the wheel support, and a sleeve fitted upon the 5 wheelsupport and closing the openings formed in the upper and lower portionsthereof.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 1n presence of two witnesses.

WALTER S NE ATHERWAX.

Witnesses:

ROLAND D. ELM/Em? J N0. A. MENARD

